Friday, 28 May 2010

My dining room table has got even worse. It is so much easier to do things when everything is laid out. Will have to tidy up tonight as now working for 3 days over the Bank Holiday, and can't leave it all there with J, kids and cat - Ruby sometimes likes to eat things I make!

I have been working on some packaging for grips. My labels and packaging seems to evolve all the time, so chances are that orders packed last week and this week will be different in some slight way. Keeps it exciting for everyone!!

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

...sorting out what stock I have, what needs to be made and remembering where I have safely put things (only to lose them)!

This is a new hair slide I have made for a special occasion and which I am going to start selling very soon. Get in touch if you would like one first as numbers are limited at the moment. They are £4 each.

Saturday, 22 May 2010

Sorry for not blogging much. Been very busy with the day job, but now I am off till next Thursday. Actually, it is easier when in work, but will definitely be making the most of the sunshine. Also Liliana's birthday party tomorrow, so that will keep us entertained!!

The only Lilies and Daisies stuff I have got round to doing is cutting circles, it various sizes, to be made into earrings, rings, badges, magnets and my new item - cufflinks. It takes longer than you expect!!

Sunday, 16 May 2010

I have a product party for the 12th June, so obviously need items to sell. I have been trying to make extra things everytime I make something to sell online. But as things are selling so well, I am not really keeping enough stock for the party, and all the spare time is spent packing. I really should just stop listing things online for a bit, but the online sales allows me to buy new materials. Definitely a catch 22 situation. I know I should be complaining about selling stuff!!

Thought I could also share the stuff I have been buying recently.

Tags, for packing. They have yet to be stamped.

Ribbons in lots of colours. No reason, I just couldn't resist!

Vintage fabric, floral of course.

Cups and saucers. This is a new collecting addiction. All odd, all floral. Good job J takes no notice of our very girly house anymore!!

And this is a project. A shabby chic old drawer which I am hoping to transform into a display for my product party. It will hopefully look lovely when done.

Friday, 14 May 2010

You probably all remember that I said I was going to spring clean and add new items to all my sites. Well I only actually got round to doing my eBay stuff and as usual I have neglected both Etsy and Folksy. It is still waiting to be crossed off my to do list!

The day after I blog about not having many orders, I have loads. I have been busy answering emails for the last hour regarding enquires, and subsequently haven't done anything else except fake tan, as I am going out for a meal tomorrow night. I have the whitest skin possible, and very dark hair. It just doesn't coordinate (unless you are a vampire), so I have to regularly add a bit of colour to stop me feeling miserable.

I have sold out of some of the ranges of party bag badges, so I have had to add a new design featuring bugs. They are currently listed on eBay. 6 badges cost £1.20

Thursday, 13 May 2010

I have still been very busy - awaiting payments from the weekend, packing up orders, making cards and of course, doing the day job.

I still plan to get my sewing machine out soon and start doing some cushions and try out a few new ideas I have, but I haven't been that quiet.

I have had new stock of the bookmark clips (photos by Heart Handmade), which can be made up with any of the fabric designs I have listed. I also spent a scary amount of money on new cabochons for rings, earrings and hair slides. I can't wait for them to arrive. I never make any money, it all gets respent on new stock (and only occassionally on me)!!

Sunday, 9 May 2010

Today has been a listing day on eBay. On the 2nd June, eBay listing fees will increase for auction style listings, and I haven't yet decided what to do. I will either have to increase my prces to cover the fees (as I barely cover costs at the moment anyway), only list buy it now prices or just give up on eBay totally. I just love using eBay as I find it is the perfect place to introduce items and find new customers. I often find that these customers then go on to buy things from my other sites, or by contacting me directly. I also use the auction listings to discover what people like or don't like to help me decide what to make more of. My brother has shown me now how to start listing items on my own website, but I think he will have to go over it again with me, as can't really remember what he said! :)

So I thought I would make the most of eBay at the moment and I have listed loads today, including some items that I had forgotten about. Lots of them are the last and only ones of things, so they are Lilies and Daisies Limited Edition, lol.

The blog magnet giveaway will end tomorrow at midday, so good luck to those who have entered. If you haven't entered, then what are you waiting for!!

Saturday, 8 May 2010

Been working at the day job, and not long home, so no interesting Lilies and Daisies news to report.

Just wanted to remind everyone about the magnet blog giveaway that ends on Monday (scroll down).
Tomorrow I will be listing new designs of magnets and badges, so I will post the photos here.
Hope you are all having a good weekend! xx

Last week I received some grey real leather. It was a bargain on an eBay auction. I have waited ages for it to arrive, as the postman forgot to leave a delivery card when I was out and it got returned to sender. Tried to complain to Royal Mail and was told 'sometimes people say that they haven't had a card but you could be mistaken'. (Basically they said I was lying!) It was worth the wait as love the texture of real leather and the grey colour is lovely. I can picture it with pink.

Trouble is that I have no plans on what to use it for. I often have these impulse buys but I am sure it will come in handy for something. I have also ordered some vintage 1950's fabric which should arrive tomorrow. It is difficult ordering vintage textiles on the internet, as the condition can vary, but fingers crossed it is as beautiful as the photos. I want to make some cushions for the product party coming up, so collecting some fabrics, ribbons and trimmings.

Monday, 3 May 2010

I had a few options for this one, but decided as the magnets are so popular at the moment, I had better do a giveaway involving them before I sell out again!!

So the prize this time will be a set of 6 Cath Kidston paper magnets, all along the floral theme. They include the Provence Rose and the Little Rose designs in various colours. My favourite is the yellow, although this seems to be the least popular among customers.

You have three options to be included in the giveaway:
1 - Join as a follower and comment to let me know
2 - If you are already a follower, let me know which is your favourite item in my shops at the moment
3 - And you can have an extra chance of winning if you blog about this giveaway, and tell me about it.

This blog giveaway will run for a week, so closing date will be 10th May 2010

Sunday, 2 May 2010

My spring clean of my listings on eBay, Etsy and Folksy has begun.
Somethings have been removed and other things upgraded to permanent listing on eBay. I have also added some new design fabric earrings and rings on eBay for a limited time only starting at 99p. I have tried to make them all bright and summery for the new season.

The time has gone so quickly, so only a fraction of it has been finished. Will be busy over the next couple of days, sorting everything out.

Tomorrow is the Blog giveaway. Have a few options of what it can be this time, but will only decide for definite in the morning. Very excited.

The mug idea I blogged about last week has been finished. I am ashamed to say that I did see the idea else where, and I would have bought the original, but it was from the US and would have cost me about £18 including postage. Not even my Cath Kidston and Susie Watson mugs cost that, so I decided to make one myself.

I am really pleased with it, and everyone keeps asking where I got it, so it must look professional. It is a quote from Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, when he first declares his love to Elizabeth Bennett. She does refuse his offer of marriage, but then begins to see him in a different light and eventually realises her feelings for him. I adore this book and must have read it at least 10 times.

Thinking of more famous quotes now for more mugs and thinking perhaps I could do a collection. Any ideas?